The 2019 ESPY Awards are upon us -- and there are plenty of athletes with Valley ties up for individual honors.
Here's a rundown of local men and women to watch when the ESPYs begin at 7 p.m. on ABC15:
-Kyler Murray: The Arizona Cardinals quarterback and 2018 Heisman Trophy winner is up for the Best College Athlete award. Other nominees: Rachel Garcia (softball), Sabrina Ionescu (women's basketball), Zion Williamson (men's basketball)
-Diana Taurasi: The Phoenix Mercury star and six-time ESPY winner is up once again for Best WNBA Player. Other nominees: Elena Delle Donne, Candace Parker, Breanna Stewart
-James Harden: The former Arizona State Sun Devils star and 2018 NBA MVP is up for Best NBA Player, an award he was nominated for last year, as well. Other nominees: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kevin Durant, Paul George
-Henry Cejudo: The current UFC Bantamweight and Flyweight champion who attended Maryvale High School has been nominated for Best MMA Fighter. Other nominees: Israel Adesanya, Daniel Cormier, Amanda Nunes
-Allysa Seely: The paratriathlete grew up in Glendale and is an alum of Mountain Ridge High School and ASU. She has been nominated for Best Female Athlete with a Disability after winning six world paratriathlon competitions in the last two years. Other nominees: Oksana Masters (nordic skiing), Tatyana McFadden (marathon racing), Shawn Morelli (cycling)
Jakob Butturff: The Chandler resident and ASU alum has won seven PBA titles and has been nominated for Best Bowler. Other nominees: Jason Belmonte, Norm Duke, Anthony Simonsen
In addition, several athletes with Valley ties are up for team ESPY awards. Julie Ertz (Dobson High School) and Jessica McDonald (Cactus High School) were part of the World Cup-winning US Women's National Team up for the Best Team award, and ASU alum Lawrence Guy was part of the New England Patriots' Super Bowl-winning team that is also up for Best Team honors.
